Auxiliary liquid-hydrocarbon tank for internal-combustion engines.



A. E. RANNEY.

AUXILIARY LIQUID HYDBOGABBON TANK FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

nrmornon nun 1.9, 1909.

1 973,330, Patented Oct. 25, 1910. 66 w z 50 Z7 Z5 /a $3.4 &

mmssm-l mvsnmn m are UNITED sTA'rns PATENT OFFICE.

AMBROSE ELLIOTT RANNEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 00., OF NEW YORK, N.

Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUXILIARY LIQUID-HYDROCARBON TANK FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed January To all whom it may "concern:

Be it known that I, AMBROSE ELLIOTT RANNEY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Auxiliary Li aid-Hydrocar n Tanks for Internal(onihustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an auxiliary liquid-hydrocarbon tank for internal combustion engines, to be used in connection with a main tank wherefroln the liquid-hydrocarbon, such as, for instance, gasolene, is fed tothe'chargc formingdevice of the engine by ressure.

As we l-known' in the art, the carbureter of an internal combustion engine may receive its supply of liquid-hydroearbon from a tank, whic rsu )ply may be fed thereto by avity, when t e tank is arranged above t e level of the carburetor. If, ho\v,e,\'er,the engine is-arranged on a motor vehicle, boat, etc. the supply of liquid-hydroearbon is fed to the carbureter by ressure, the tank being usual] located on I descri ed below the level of the carbureter. Any of the well known means may -.be used to produce the desired degree of pressure in the tank, for instance, a supply of com pressed air may be carried with the engine, or a pump may be employed, or the exhaust pipe of the engine may be connected, in any suitable manner, with the li aid-hydrocarbon tank. Obviously, when he liquid fuel is fed by pressure to the tank and if, for instance, a pipe in the feed system is broken, or the pressure in the tank descends below the normal, desired degree, or any other disturbanee, should occur in the feed system, or if the,suppl oftliquidhydrocarbon is exhausted in he main tank, the communication between the tank and the carbureter aforementioned defect is obviated. T0 at tain this end, theauxiliary tank, hereinbeevices of the character Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Oct, 25, 19 10,

9, 1909. Serial No. 471,488.

fore mentioned, is inserted in the pipe-line, leadm from the main tank to the carbureter, m such a manner that 'the-liquid-hyis fed by gravit to the carbureter in case any one of the a orementioned or other accidents should happen:

Another ob'ect of the invention is to profrom which fuel is supplied-to the earbur'e'ter filled.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be a parent in reading the specification and mm an examination'of the drawings, forming part of the-present ap )lication for Letters Patent.

he invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in whichembodying the invention, and showing'the same applied to an automobile chassis, Fig. 2 1s a s de elevation of the auxiliary tank and the connection between the same and .3 isa front view of the device illustrated in Fig. 2, partly in section.

As shown in the drawings, the mechanism is shown applied to an, automobile chassis, although it will be understood that theede- \ice may be usedin connection with any in type or construction and wherever used. The chassis carries above the side frame members 4 of the same an internal combusaud in' which a combustiblematerial is iydrocarbon and all. mixture is, as well known 'in the art, conducted from the charge forming device to pipes T, 7, leading to the fuel supply inlets of thecylindcrs, which fuelisup'ply inlets may be valve controlled or piston controlled the mode of-t operation and construction of the engine to be operated. The exhaust ports of'the cylinders communicate with an exhaust pipe 8, leadin to the usual mufiler.

The main liquid-by rocarbon tank is invide an auxiliary liquid-hydrocarbon tank,

of the engine, while the main-tank is being' ternal combustion engine, irrespective of'its drocarbon, contained in said auxiliary tank,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device the earbureter on an enlarged scale, a'nd lig.

tion engine 5, of any suitable construction,

burned, which has been previously produced in a charge forming device (3 by. mt'ermin- "ling in a proper manner a suitable liquid Such combustiblethe cylinders of the engine by means of' I or a combination of both, depending upon \licated at 9 and is arranged, as will be upcase illustrat iliary tank is attached to thedash board of elow the level of' the charge forming rc- Tlns tank communicates through parent from an inspection of the drawin s,

vice 6.

i will be filled with the liquid-hydiocarbon; 65

a pipe-10 with the exhaust-pipe 8; the pres- 5 sure reducing valve 11, which is of the usual construction and inserted in the pipe 10, serving to regulate the pressure within the tank 9. The pipe 10 leads from the top of the tank 9, while a ,fuel supply pipe 12 leads from near to thebottom of the same to an auxiliary tank 13, located at a higher level,

than the char e forming device 6. In the i in the drawings, the auxthe motor vehicle, although it is obvious that it may justas well be secured to any other. part of the vehicle, itbeing, however, essential that it should be arranged at such a level, wherefrom the -liquid-hydrocarbonmay be fed to the charge forming device by gravity. I

The auxiliary tank 13 may be made of any suitable shape and size, acqordin to the requirements, and should be ma e a rtight. The communication between the auxiliary tank and the float chamber l-t'of the charge forming device 6 is controlled by a threeway valve 15, arranged in a valve chamber 16, the passage 17 of which leads tothe bot-, tom of the tank 13, while the passage 18of setso that the float chamber communicates with the tank by means of the passage .17,

or through the passagelB at; will. -or the communication may be closed altogether.- The valve is set by means of a knob 23, arranged on the valve stem 24,01: anyother suitable means. 1 The operation, of the-device described is as follows :--.Let us sup ose' that the auxiliary tank and the float. cl iamber of the charge. formi device is emptv,.and consequently the fluid admission regulating means of-the float.- chamber isin a position whereby the same allows the fluid pressure to e'nte'r the float chamber. In order tostartthe operation of. theengine, the three-way valve is turned so'that a communication is open between the float chamber of? the charge forming deviceand the auxiliary tank 13 through the pipe 19, arrangedin said tank. The-em;

always contains an extrasupply of. tel, and is-always ready to furnish a supply of such- I feel, when needed, by the mere turning of gins being-at reshthere is nopressure? in the main tank 9 of the device, and,'.ther e-" of pressure in the main;tank.- 'Ihis'pres.-.

. sure forces. the liqpid-hydrocarbon ifmmurthe main tank: into e auxiliary tankyaivvhich the air in the same escaping through the pipe 19'and pipe 21 through the float chain,- ier of the charge forming device, and alloy ing thus the auxiliary tank to be filled wi 11 liquid-hydrocarbon up to the plane of the outlet 20 of the pipe 19 in said tank. en this level is reached, the liquid-hydrocarbon is forced through the pipe 19, the passage 18 of the valve casing and through thepipe 21 into the float chamber of the charge forming device, until this communication is closed by the usual mechanism in the float chamber, that is when the liquid reaches the proper level in the same. The communication between the auxiliary air supply or air pump and the main tank 9 of the device may then be closed. As the engine is now start-- ed. the proper combustible mixture is sup plied to the cylinders of the same, and the.

proper pressure maintained in the main tank. which is, as hercinbefore described, in connnunication through the ressure reducing valve. 11 and pipe 10 with the exhaust pipe 8 of the engine. In this manner liquidhydroearbon will be supplied b pressure from the main tankto the auxiiiary tank, and thus to the float chamber of the charge forming device as long as the engine is in operation, or in otherwords, as long as the communication between the main tank and the exhaust pipe of the engine is open. Should now either of, the pipes 10 or 11 break, or the main tank leak, or for some reason the pressure in the main tank'fall below the normally dcsi'red degree, or the supply in the main tankbe exhausted, then, obviously, the supply of liquid'hydrocarbon from the' main tank to thei'auxiliary tanle will lie-discontinued. The engine will thus come to rest, as soon as'the supply of liquidhydrocarbon in the float chamber and in the pipe leadingtherefrom to the auxiliary tank is exhausted. hen the engine comes to wish-the three-way valve is set, so that'a counnnmcat-ion is opened between the float chamber 1-1 and the auxiliary tank 13 through the pipe 29 and the passage 17 of the valve casing. The tlll \llltlly tank Wlii then continue to so )ply the float chamber until an additional "uel supply is obtained, or .the necessary repairs made, when the three-way valveis again set, so that t-heliqaid-hydrocarbon is supplied to the float chamber through the pipe 19 in the auxiliary tank.

It vilt be easily seen that. the ly tank the thrce-way'valve, the; roperposition of .which'-'may De-indicate by means well knpwn' in. the art. The: auxiliary tank 13 may be provided. with an orifice 25, at.-

which terminates at ranged, preferably, in the cover 26 of the tank, and closed by aplug 27, which will allow the tank to be filled from cans or receptacles; providing at the same time means to allow the upon the surface of the liquid-hydrocarbon,

. when necessary.

Obviously many minor changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts of the device without departing from the spirit vention;

'hat I claim is:

l. The combination with the charge for ing device of an internal combustion engine, of a main tank for fluid under pressure, an auxiliary tank communicating with: said main tank, a connection leading from said charge forming device to said auxiliary tank and branching out into two passages, one of or near to the bottom and the other near to the top of said auxiliary tank, and a single means inserted into said connection for closing or opening either of said passages at will.

2. The combination with the charge forming device of an internal combustion engine having a float chamber, of a main tank for fluid under pressure, an auxiliary tankcommunicating with and being arranged above the level of said float chamber, a connection leading from said charge forming device to said auxiliary tank and branching out into two passages, one of which terminates at or near to the bottom for conducting the fluid by gravity alone to said float chamber and the other near to the top of said auxiliary tank, and a valve inserted into said connection for closing or opening either of said passages at will.

The combination with the charge forming device of an internal combustion engine, of a. main tank forfluid under pressure arranged below the level of said charge forming device. an auxiliary tank arranged above the level of said charge forming device and conununicatin; with said main tank, a connection lezuling t'roln said charge forming device to said auxiliary tank'aud branching out into two passages. one. of which terminates at or near to the bottom for conducting the fluid by gravity alone to said float chamber and the other near to the top of said auxiliary tank for allowing the fluid to pass under pressure to said float chamber, and means insertcrlfl'nto said connection for closing or opening either of said passages at will,

4. Tlr combination with thcchargc forming device of an internal combustion-engine, ot' a main tank for fluid under pressure arranged below the level of said charge forming device, an auxiliary tank arranged above the level of said charge forming device and atmospheric pressure to act.

and scope of the in mites at or nai'to the i'c co municatingwith said main tank a connection leading from said charge orming device tosaid auxiliary ,tank and brancbin outinto two passages one of which termittonrfor conducting the fluid by-gravlty alone to said float chamber andthe other near to the top of said auxiliary tank for allowingth-flmd to pass under pressure to said float-chamber, and a valve inserted into said connection for closing or opening 5. The combination with the exhaustpi of an internal combustion engine, of a mam tank for liquid-hydrocarbon communicatin wit said exhaust pipe, an auxiliary tan communicating with said main tank, 'a charge forming device for said internal 'combastion engine arranged mg from said charge forming device to said auxiliary tank and branching out into two terminates at or near passages, one of which to the bottom for conducting the fluid by gravity alone to said floatchamber and the other near to the top of said auxiliary tank for allowing the fluid to pass under vpressure to said float chamber, and a valve inserted into said connection for closing or opening either of said passages at will. 6. The combination with the exhaust pipe either of said passages at below the level of ,Sald auxlhal'y t nk, a communication lead of an internal combustion engine, of acharge forming device for said internal combustion engine, a main tank for liquid-h drocarbon arranged below the level of said charge forming device and communicating with said exhaust pipe,- an auxiliary tank arranged abolve the level of said charge forming device and communicating with said main tank,i a donnection leading from said charge forming device to said auxiliary tank and branching out into two passages, one of which terminatesat or near, to the bottom for conducting the fluid by gravity alone to said float chamber and the other near to the top of said auxiliary tank for allowing the fluid to pass underpressure to said float chamber, and means inserted into saidconnection for closing or opening either of said passages at will.

7. The combination with the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, of a charge forming device for said internal combustion engine, a maintank for liquid-h drocarbon arranged below'the level of said charge forming device and communicatin with said exhaust pipe, an auxiliary tank arranged abve the level-of saidcharge forming device and communic 'ag with said main tank, a connection 'lea'm'g from said charge forming device to said auxiliary tank and branching out into two passages, one of which terminates at or near to the bottom for'conducting the fluid by gravity alone to sdid float chamber and the other near to the New YOI k and State of New York, this 7t topdof said auxiliary tank for allowilgflthe day of January, A. D. 1909, flui to pass under pessure to sai oat chamber, and a valve fuserted into said com ELLIOTT N 5 nect-ion for closing or opening either of said Wit Smmmn Hnazou,

- passages at will.

Signed at New York, in the county of V C. R.- Emma.- 

